Plug-and-play vehicle communication system and method

ABSTRACT

A system for communicating within a vehicle includes a cabin manager unit (CMU) configured to perform operations. The operations include electronically removing a first panel from a network. The operations also include receiving an addition command signal to electronically add a second panel to the network to replace the first panel. The addition command signal is wireless. The operations also include ranking a plurality of frequency ranges used by the second panel based at least partially upon one or more metrics of the frequency ranges.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/711,509, filed on Dec. 12, 2019, the entirety of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Existing communication systems in a vehicle (e.g., an airplane)oftentimes include a cabin manager unit (CMU) and a plurality of panels.The CMU and the panels are connected via wires. The panels may belocated throughout the aircraft. Each user (e.g., passenger) may have apanel proximate to his/her seat. As an example, a user may enter acommand into his/her panel to turn on a reading light. The command istransmitted from the panel to the CMU via a first wire, and then the CMUtransmits the command to the reading light via a second wire.

However, over time, these systems encounter problems that require one ormore portions of the system to be repaired or replaced. This may includeremoving portions of the vehicle to access the system. For example, thefloor, wall, ceiling, etc. of the vehicle may be removed to access theportions of the system to be repaired or replaced. Not only is this atime-consuming and expensive process, but, oftentimes, the floor, wall,ceiling, etc. of the vehicle that is temporarily removed is damaged(e.g., scratched) while being moved or stored.

SUMMARY

A system for communicating within a vehicle is disclosed. The systemincludes a cabin manager unit (CMU) configured to perform operations.The operations include electronically removing a first panel from anetwork. The operations also include receiving an addition commandsignal to electronically add a second panel to the network to replacethe first panel. The addition command signal is wireless. The operationsalso include ranking a plurality of frequency ranges used by the secondpanel based at least partially upon one or more metrics of the frequencyranges.

In another embodiment, the system includes a cabin manager unit (CMU)configured to perform operations. The operations include electronicallyremoving a first panel from a network. The operations also includeelectronically adding a second panel to the network to replace the firstpanel. The operations also include electronically configuring the secondpanel by transmitting a configuration signal to the second panel. Theconfiguration signal is wireless.

In another embodiment, the system includes a cabin manager unit (CMU)configured to perform operations. The operations include electronicallyremoving a first panel from a network. The operations also includeelectronically adding a second panel to the network to replace the firstpanel. The operations also include transmitting a default state signalto a device in the vehicle, wherein the default state signal causes thedevice to switch into a first state. The operations also includetransmitting an advertising signal to the second panel that informs thesecond panel that the device is in the first state.

It will be appreciated that this summary is intended merely to introducesome aspects of the present methods, systems, and media, which are morefully described and/or claimed below. Accordingly, this summary is notintended to be limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the presentteachings and together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the present teachings. In the figures:

FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a portion of a vehicle, according toan embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of a communication system in thevehicle operating as a single-frequency mesh with a single broadcastdomain, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of the communication systemoperating as a single-frequency mesh with multiple broadcast domains,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates another schematic view of the communication systemoperating as a multi-frequency mesh with multiple broadcast domains,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a method for communicating within thevehicle, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of another method for communicatingwithin the vehicle, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings and figures. In thefollowing detailed description, numerous specific details are set forthin order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However,it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that theinvention may be practiced without these specific details. In otherinstances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, andnetworks have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarilyobscure aspects of the embodiments.

It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element from another. For example, a first object or step could betermed a second object or step, and, similarly, a second object or stepcould be termed a first object or step, without departing from the scopeof the present disclosure. The first object or step, and the secondobject or step, are both, objects or steps, respectively, but they arenot to be considered the same object or step.

The terminology used in the description herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. Asused in this description and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well,unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also beunderstood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to andencompasses any possible combinations of one or more of the associatedlisted items. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,”“including,” “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in thisspecification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Further, asused herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon” or“in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending onthe context.

FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a portion of a vehicle 100, accordingto an embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 100 is anairplane. However, as will be appreciated, the systems and methodsdescribed herein may also or instead apply to other vehicles such ashelicopters, spaceships, cars, buses, boats, trains, etc.

The vehicle 100 may include a first (e.g., forward) end 110 and a second(e.g., aft) end 112. The vehicle 100 may also include a door 114 throughwhich passengers may board and de-board. The vehicle 100 may alsoinclude a cockpit 116 located proximate to the forward end 110. Thevehicle 100 may also include an aisle 118 that extends at leastpartially between the forward end 110 and the aft end 112. The vehicle100 may also include a plurality of seats 120 positioned on one or bothsides of the aisle 118. The vehicle 100 may also include one or morelavatories (two are shown: 122, 124).

The vehicle 100 may also include a communication system 130, which isshown in FIGS. 2-4. Referring back to FIG. 1, the communication system130 may include a cabin manager unit (CMU) 140. As described in greaterdetail below, the CMU 140 may segregate and manage broadcast domains ofthe communication system 130. The CMU 140 may also determine whichfrequencies the communication system 130 may use at a given time basedat least partially upon the strongest frequencies (e.g., with thegreatest bandwidth) and least-encumbered frequencies (e.g., the mostreliable frequencies). Thus, the CMU 140 may switch between frequencies(e.g., frequency hop) to spread the spectrum of signals to overcomepotential interference and latency.

The communication system 130 may also include a plurality of devices(three are shown: 151-153). The devices 151-153 may be in communicationwith the CMU 140 wirelessly or via one or more wires. For example, thedevices 151-153 may be in communication with the CMU 140 via one or morewires that are installed before the CMU 140 is installed (i.e., existingwires). The CMU 140 may be configured to control the devices 151-153.More particularly, the CMU 140 may be configured to cause the devices151-153 to actuate into and/or between one or more states (e.g., on oroff). For example, the CMU 140 may be configured to cause the devices151-153 to actuate into a first (e.g., default) state when the vehicle100 and/or the communication system 130 is turned on.

Several illustrative devices 151-153 are identified in FIG. 1 anddescribed below; however, it will be appreciated that this list ismerely illustrative and not exhaustive. The devices 151-153 may beclassified into one or more priority levels by an authorized user, andthe priority levels may be pre-programmed (e.g., stored) into the CMU140. For example, the devices 151-153 may be classified into first(e.g., high) priority level devices, second (e.g., intermediate)priority level devices, and third (e.g., low) priority level devices.

The first (e.g., high) priority level devices 151 may rely uponsubstantially real-time communication. Thus, communication involving orcontrolling the first (e.g., high) priority level devices 151 may takepriority over communication involving or controlling other devices 152,153. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the first (e.g., high) prioritylevel device 151 is part of a water system, which may perform functionssuch as turning a water system on/off, pressurizing the lines, heatingand line purging, etc. More particularly, the first (e.g., high)priority level device 151 is a wet sensor that is part of the watersystem. In an example, in response to a measurement from the wet sensor151 (e.g., indicating a problem with the water system), substantiallyreal-time communication with the CMU 140 may be used to turn the watersystem on/off. Although not shown, other first (e.g., high) prioritylevel devices may be or include cabin calls to the cockpit annunciatorpanel, call chime, or other any device that requires an immediateresponse from a user input.

The communication with the second (e.g., intermediate) priority leveldevices 152 may have a lesser priority than the first (e.g., high)priority level devices 151; however, the second (intermediate) levelpriority devices 152 may still take priority over communication withsome other devices 153. The second (e.g., intermediate) priority leveldevices 152 may be or include devices that transmit and/or receivehigh-volume signals. The second (e.g., intermediate) priority leveldevices 152 may also or instead be or include devices that transmitand/or receive signals related to diagnostics, logs, statisticalanalysis, etc. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the second (e.g.,intermediate) priority level device 152 is an up-wash and down-washlight. Although not shown, other second (e.g., intermediate) prioritylevel devices may be or include entry lights, main cabin lights, aislelights, lavatory lights, table/reading lights, flight attendant calls,window shades, entertainment and information displays, thermostats, andthe like.

The communication with the third (e.g., low) priority level devices 153may have a lesser priority than the first (e.g., high) priority leveldevices 151 and the second (e.g., intermediate) level devices 152. Thethird (e.g., low) priority level devices 153 may be or include devicesthat transmit and/or receive signals that involve no user input and/ordo not control systems functions. In the example shown in FIG. 1, thethird (e.g., low) priority level device 153 is a chiller. As will beappreciated, a delay of a second or two does not directly orsubstantially affect the user (e.g., passenger) or the chiller.

As will be appreciated, the priority level of the devices 151-153 may bechanged in the CMU 140 at any time by the authorized user. In addition,the priority level of the devices 151-153 may differ from vehicle tovehicle. For example, although the vehicle (e.g., aircraft) describedabove may have the chiller classified as a third (e.g., low) prioritylevel device, another aircraft may classify the chiller as a second(e.g., intermediate) priority level device.

The communication system 130 may also include a plurality of panels (sixare shown: 161-166). The panels 161-166 may be or include buttons,knobs, switches, touch-screens, or the like that are configured toreceive user input (e.g., commands) to control one or more of thedevices 151-153. The panels 161-166 may be in communication with the CMU140 and/or the devices 151-153 wirelessly or via one or more wires. Inone embodiment, the panels 161-166 may be configured to control one ormore of the devices 151-153 directly (e.g., without transmitting signalsto the CMU 140). In another embodiment, the panels 161-166 may beconfigured to control one or more of the devices 151-153 indirectly.More particularly, the panels 161-166 may transmit wireless signals tothe CMU 140, and the CMU 140 may then transmit signals to the one ormore devices 151-153 to control the one or more devices 151-153. Thesignals from the CMU 140 to the devices 151-153 may be wireless or viaone or more (e.g., existing) wires.

Several panels 161-166 are identified in FIG. 1 and described below;however, it will be appreciated that this list is merely illustrativeand not exhaustive. In an example, a first panel 161 may be or include agalley control panel (also referred to as a master switch) that isconfigured to control one or more of the devices (e.g., the wet sensor151 and the up-wash and down-wash lights 152). A second panel 162 may beor include a forward lavatory panel that is configured to control one ormore of the devices (e.g., a lavatory light and a toilet in the forwardlavatory 122). A third panel 163 may be or include an aft lavatory panelthat is configured to control one or more of the devices (a lavatorylight and a toilet in the aft lavatory 124). Additional panels 164-166may be or include passenger control units (e.g., proximate to the seats120) that are configured to control one or more of the devices (e.g.,the up-wash and down-wash lights 152 and the table/reading lights 153).Although not shown, in one embodiment, each of the seats 120 may have acorresponding panel (e.g., passenger control unit).

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of the communication system 130operating as a single-frequency mesh with a single broadcast domain,according to an embodiment. The communication system 130 includes theCMU 140 and the panels 161-166. Although not shown in FIG. 2, thecommunication system 130 may also include the devices 151-153.

As used herein, a “single-frequency mesh” refers to a single frequencyrange that is used to transmit signals between the CMU 140 and thepanels 161-166 (and/or between the different panels 161-166) in thecommunication system 130. As used herein, a “single broadcast domain”refers to a division of a network of the communication system 130, inwhich all nodes within that domain (e.g., CMU 140 and/or panels 161-166)can communicate with one another. When the communication system 130operates as a single-frequency mesh in a single broadcast domain, theCMU 140 may communicate wirelessly and directly with each of the panels161-166 in a single (e.g., common) frequency range, and each of thepanels 161-166 may communicate wirelessly and directly with one anotherin the single (e.g., common) frequency range.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of the communication system 130operating as a single-frequency mesh with multiple broadcast domains171-173, according to an embodiment. As used herein, “multiple broadcastdomains” refer to multiple divisions or segregations of the network ofthe communication system 130. Having multiple broadcast domains 171-173may segregate the network to increase traffic efficiency and throughputfor quality of service (QOS) reasons, or for security or safety reasons.In the example of FIG. 3, each of the broadcast domains 171-173 operateswithin a single (e.g., common) frequency range.

As shown, the panels 161-166 may be assigned to and/or operate withinone (or more) of the broadcast domains 171-173. In the example shown inFIG. 3, the panels 161-163 are assigned to and/or operate within thefirst broadcast domain 171, the panel 164 is assigned to and/or operateswithin the second broadcast domain 172, and the panels 165, 166 areassigned to and/or operate within the third broadcast domain 173. In oneembodiment, only components with multi-frequency capability may passtraffic between different broadcast domains 171-173. In this example,the CMU 140 has multi-frequency capability and can communicate with thepanels 161-166 in each of the broadcast domains 171-173.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of the communication system 130operating as a multi-frequency mesh with multiple broadcast domains,according to an embodiment. As used herein, a “multi-frequency mesh”refers to multiple different frequency ranges that are used to transmitsignals between the CMU 140 and panels 161-166 (and/or between thedifferent panels 161-166) in the communication system 130.

The example in FIG. 4 is similar to the example in FIG. 3, except theCMU 140 may include two CMUs 140A, 140B that operate in parallel. Inaddition, the different broadcast domains may be assigned to or operatewithin different frequency ranges. As shown, the first broadcast domain171 transmits signals in a first frequency range (e.g., 902 megahertz(MHz)-928 MHz), the second broadcast domain 172 transmits signals in asecond frequency range (e.g., 2412 MHz-2462 MHz), and the thirdbroadcast domain 173 transmits signals in a third frequency range (e.g.,863 MHz-870 MHz). Assigning the broadcast domains to different frequencyranges may further reduce interference and increase traffic efficiencyand throughput within the communication system 130.

Also, two additional broadcast domains are shown in FIG. 4: 174, 175.The broadcast domains 174, 175 may be assigned to or operate within oneor more of the frequency ranges. As shown, the fourth broadcast domain174 may be assigned to or operate within the first frequency range(e.g., 902 MHz-928 MHz) and the third frequency range (e.g., 863 MHz-870MHz). Another panel (e.g., a galley panel) 167 may be assigned to oroperate within the fourth broadcast domain 174. The panel 167 may beconfigured to transmit signals to and receive signals from the CMU(s)140A, 140B, the panels 161-163 in the first broadcast domain 171, and/orthe panels 165, 166 in the third broadcast domain 173, but not the panel164 in the second broadcast domain 172. The signals transmitted to andreceived from the panel 167 may be in the first frequency range (e.g.,902 MHz-928 MHz) and the third frequency range (e.g., 863 MHz-870 MHz),but not in the second frequency range (e.g., 2412 MHz-2462 MHz).

As shown, the fifth broadcast domain 175 may be assigned to or operatewithin the first frequency range and the second frequency range. Anotherpanel (e.g., an aft panel) 168 may be assigned to or operate within thefifth broadcast domain 175. The panel 168 may be configured to transmitsignals to and receive signals from the CMU(s) 140A, 140B, the panels161-163 in the first broadcast domain 171, and/or the panel 164 in thesecond broadcast domain 172, but not the panels 165, 166 in the thirdbroadcast domain 173. The signals transmitted to and received from thepanel 168 may be in the first frequency range and the second frequencyrange, but not in the third frequency range.

In this particular example, the first broadcast domain 171 is used totransmit signals related to the water system (e.g., the wet sensor 151),the second broadcast domain 172 is used to transmit signals related toflushing, volume, and power, and the third broadcast domain 173 is usedto transmit signals related to lighting (e.g., the up-wash and down-washlight 152). As a result, the signals related to the water system may notbe seen (e.g., received) by the panel 164 in the second broadcast domain172 and/or the panels 165, 166 in the third broadcast domain 173. Asmentioned above, this may have the benefit of reducing interference andincreasing traffic efficiency and throughput within the communicationsystem 130. Traffic may, however, be routed between broadcast domains171-173 when QOS deems this useful.

Communication between frequency ranges and/or broadcast domains 171-175may be executed by multi-frequency devices such as the CMUs 140A, 140Band/or designated panels 167, 168 that create QOS determinations.Although not shown, in one embodiment, if a panel 161-168 is used tocontrol a device that is assigned to another broadcast domain 171-175,the designated multi frequency panel 167, 168 may rout traffic acrossbroadcast domains 171-175. For example, the panel 164 is shown in thesecond broadcast domain 172 and is used to transmit signals to controlflushing, volume, and power. However, if a user enters a command intothe panel 164 to control the water system, the panel 164 may send thesignal to the panel 168, and the panel 168 may then rout the signal tothe CMUs 140A, 140B to execute the command to control the water system.Alternatively, if the connection is local to one of the panels 161-163(i.e., controlled directly by one of the panels 161-163 rather than bythe CMUs 140A, 140B), the panel 164 may send the signal to the panel168, and the panel 168 may send the signal to the broadcast domain 171for the appropriate panel 161-163 to execute the command.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a method 500 for communicating withinthe vehicle 100, according to an embodiment. An illustrative order ofthe method 500 is described below; however, one or more steps of themethod 500 may occur in a different order or be omitted altogether. Oneor more steps (e.g., 504-520) of the method 500 may be part of aquality-of-service (QOS) determination that is performed by the CMU 140.

The method 500 may begin when the communication system 130 is turned on.The communication system 130 may be turned on automatically when thevehicle 100 is turned on, or the communication system 130 maysubsequently be turned on manually by a user. Once the communicationsystem 130 is turned on, the method 500 may include transmitting defaultstate signals from the CMU 140 to one or more of the devices 151-153, asat 502. The default state signals may be transmitted automatically(e.g., in response to the communication system 130 being turned on). Thedefault state signals may be transmitted through the (e.g., existing)wires to the devices 151-153. The default state signals may cause thedevices 151-153 to switch into their default states. This may also bereferred to as performing default state setup. The default state foreach device 151-153 may be pre-programmed into the CMU 140 by anauthorized user. In one example, the default state for the wet sensor151 may be off, the default state for the up-wash and down-wash light152 may be on, and the default state for the chiller 153 may be off.

The method 500 may also include transmitting advertising signals fromthe CMU 140 to one or more of the panels 161-166, as at 504. This mayrepresent the start of the QOS determination. The advertising signalsmay be transmitted automatically (e.g., in response to the communicationsystem 130 being turned on), or the advertising signals may betransmitted in response to the default state signals being transmitted.The advertising signals may be transmitted wirelessly to the panels161-166. The advertising signals may inform the panels 161-166 of thecurrent states of the devices 151-153 (e.g., the default states). Thismay also be referred to as advertising the state of the devices. Theadvertising signals may be transmitted before, simultaneously with, orafter the default state signals.

The method 500 may also include transmitting status signals from thepanels (e.g., panel 161) to the CMU 140 and/or the other panels (e.g.,panels 162-166), as at 506. This may be a continuation of the QOSdetermination. This step may be performed for each of the panels161-166. The status signals may be transmitted in response to the panels161-166 receiving the advertising signals.

The status signals may be transmitted wirelessly to the CMU 140 and/orthe other panels 162-166. The status signals may inform the CMU 140and/or the other panels 162-166 that the first panel 161 is online. Thestatus signals may also or instead inform the CMU 140 and/or the otherpanels 162-166 that the first panel 161 is in communication with the CMU140 and/or the other panels 162-166 (e.g., that the first panel 161received the advertising signals). The status signals may also orinstead inform the CMU 140 and/or the other panels 162-166 that thefirst panel 161 is aware of the current states of the devices 151-153.The status signals may be transmitted before, simultaneously with, orafter the default state signals. The status signals may be transmittedbefore, simultaneously with, or after the advertising signals.

The method 500 may also include measuring one or more metrics of thefrequency ranges used by the panels 161-166, as at 508. This may be acontinuation of the QOS determination. This step may be performed foreach of the panels 161-166. In an example, the metrics of the frequencyranges of the panel 161 may include the metrics of the frequency rangesused to transmit signals from the panel 161 and/or the metrics of thefrequency ranges that are used to transmit signals to the panel 161. Themetrics of the frequency ranges used by a panel (e.g., panel 161) may bemeasured in/by that particular panel. As used herein, the metrics may beor include signal strength (e.g., in dBm), bandwidth (e.g., in kb/s),error rate (e.g., measured as a percentage), or a combination thereof.

The frequency ranges may be different (e.g., not overlapping). In oneexample, a first frequency range may be from about 153 MHz to about 860MHz, a second frequency range may be from about 861 MHz to about 2411MHz, and a third frequency range may be from about 2412 MHz to about5019 MHz. In another example, the first frequency range may be fromabout 863 MHz to about 870 MHZ, the second frequency range may be fromabout 902 MHz to about 928 MHZ, and the third frequency range may befrom about 2412 MHz to about 2462 MHz, as shown in FIG. 4. As will beappreciated, the frequency may be directly proportional to bandwidth.Thus, higher frequencies have higher bandwidths, and lower frequencieshave lower bandwidths.

In one example, the metrics may include the signal strength of the firstfrequency range (e.g., 902 MHz-928 MHz) used by the first panel 161. Inanother example, the metrics may include the signal strength and thebandwidth in the first frequency range and the second frequency range(e.g., 2412 MHz-2462 MHz) used by the second panel 162. In anotherexample, the metrics may include the signal strength, the bandwidth, andthe error rate in the first frequency range, the second frequency range,and the third frequency range used by each of the panels 161-166.

The method 500 may also include transmitting the metrics from the panels161-166 to the CMU 140, as at 510. This may be a continuation of the QOSdetermination. This step may be performed for each of the panels161-166. The metrics may be transmitted wirelessly.

The method 500 may also include ranking the frequency ranges of thepanels 161-166 based at least partially upon one or more of the metrics,as at 512. This may be a continuation of the QOS determination. Theranking may be performed by the CMU 140 for each of the panels 161-166.The ranking may be based at least partially upon one or more of themetrics (e.g., the signal strength, the bandwidth, and/or the errorrate), as well as the available devices 151-153 or panels 161-166, theresponse time of/from the available devices 151-153 or panels 161-166,or a combination hereof.

Ranking the frequency ranges may include determining which of the threefrequency ranges is most reliable, which of the three frequency rangeshas intermediate reliability, and which of the three frequency ranges isthe least reliable. As used herein, “reliability” refers to a likelihoodthat a signal transmitted in a particular frequency range will bereceived intact and within a predetermined amount of time. In anexample, the first panel 161 may have the first frequency range rankedas the most reliable, the second frequency range ranked as the leastreliable, and the third frequency range ranked as having intermediatereliability.

Ranking the frequency ranges may also or instead include determiningwhich of the three frequency ranges has the greatest speed, which of thethree frequency ranges has intermediate speed, and which of the threefrequency ranges has the least speed. As used herein, “speed” refers tothe amount of data that is successfully transferred in a particularfrequency range in a predetermined amount of time. In an example, thefirst frequency range of the first panel 161 may have the least speed,the second frequency range of the first panel 161 may have intermediatespeed, and the third frequency range of the first panel 161 may have thegreatest speed.

The method 500 may also include receiving a command from a user, as at514. This may be a continuation of the QOS determination. The commandmay be received at one of the panels 161-166. In an example, the firstdevice (e.g., the wet sensor) 151 may transmit a measurement (e.g.,through existing wires) to the CMU 140 indicating that there is aproblem with the water system. The user may then enter a command intothe first panel 161 (e.g., to turn the water system off). As describedbelow, the command may be transmitted from the first panel 161 as afirst command signal.

The method 500 may also include assigning the first command signal toone of the frequency ranges, as at 516. This may be a continuation ofthe QOS determination. The first command signal may be transmitted fromthe first panel 161 to the CMU 140 and/or the other panels 162-166. Theassignment may be made by the CMU 140 and stored in the CMU 140, thedevices 151-153, and/or the panels 161-166. This step may be performedfor each of the panels 161-166.

The assignment may provide the optimal route (e.g., broadcast domain171-173 and/or frequency range) for transmission of the first commandsignal. The first command signal may be assigned based at leastpartially upon the metrics and/or the ranking. More particularly, thefirst command signal may be assigned based at least partially upon therankings of the frequency ranges for the panels 161-166 as well as apriority of the first command signal and/or a size of the first commandsignal. The priority of the first command signal may be determined by anauthorized user and stored in the CMU 140 and/or the panels 161-166. Inthe example discussed above, signals that are related to or controlhigh-priority devices such as the first device (e.g., the wet sensor)151 may be classified as first (e.g., high) priority signals, signalsthat are related to or control the intermediate-priority devices such asthe second device (e.g., the up-wash and down-wash light) 152 may beclassified as second (e.g., intermediate) priority signals, and signalsthat are related to or control low-priority devices such as the thirddevice (e.g., the chiller) 153 may be classified as third (e.g., low)priority signals.

In one embodiment, the high-priority signals may be assigned to thefrequency range with the highest reliability, the intermediate-prioritysignals may be assigned to the frequency range with the intermediatereliability, and the low-priority signals may be assigned to thefrequency range with the lowest reliability. In this particular example,where the first command signal is related to or controls the wet sensor151, which is a high-priority device, the first command signal may beassigned to the frequency range with the highest reliability. However,as mentioned above, this assignment may also be based at least partiallyupon the rankings and/or the size of the first command signal, whichmay, in some embodiments, cause the first command signal to be assignedto a different frequency range.

Command signals having a size that is greater than a first (e.g., upper)size threshold (e.g., 10 MB) may be classified as large signals, commandsignals having a size that is between than the first (e.g., upper) sizethreshold (e.g., 1 MB) and a second (e.g., lower) size threshold (e.g.,100 kB) may be classified as intermediate-sized signals, and commandsignals having a size that is less than the second (e.g., lower) sizethreshold (e.g., 100 kB) may be classified as small signals. In oneembodiment, the large command signals may be assigned to the frequencyrange with the greatest speed, the intermediate-sized command signalsmay be assigned to the frequency range with the intermediate speed, andthe small command signals may be assigned to the frequency range withthe lowest speed.

In at least one embodiment, ranking the frequency ranges by reliabilitymay be based at least partially upon the ranking of the frequency rangesby speed. More particularly, the frequency range with the greatest speedmay not be ranked as the most reliable frequency range. As a result, thehigh-priority command signals may not be assigned to (and thus may notbe transmitted in) the frequency range with the greatest speed. This isbecause the command signals assigned to the frequency range with thegreatest speed (e.g., command signals with large sizes or high-volumecommand signals) may saturate this frequency range, which maydeteriorate the reliability of this frequency range.

The method 500 may also include transmitting the first command signal tothe CMU 140 (and/or the other panels 162-166), as at 518. This may be acontinuation of the QOS determination. The first command signal mayinclude the command from the user. The first command signal may bewireless. The first command signal may be transmitted from the firstpanel 161 in the frequency range to which it was assigned (in step 516)based at least partially upon the priority of the first command signal,the size of the first command signal, the reliability rankings of thefrequency ranges, or a combination thereof.

The method 500 may also include transmitting a second command signalfrom the CMU 140 to one or more of the devices 151-153, as at 520. Thismay be a continuation of the QOS determination. The second commandsignal may include the command from the user. For example, the secondcommand signal may cause the water system to turn “off” (e.g., inresponse to the measurement from the wet sensor 151 indicating thatthere is a problem with the water system). In one embodiment, the secondcommand signal may be transmitted through the (e.g., existing) wires. Inanother embodiment, the second command signal may be wireless and betransmitted in one of the frequency ranges based at least partially uponthe priority of the first and/or second command signal, the size of thefirst and/or second command signal, the reliability rankings of thefrequency ranges, or a combination thereof. For example, the secondcommand signal may be transmitted in the same frequency range as thefirst command signal.

One or more steps of the method 500 may be iterative. For example, themethod 500 may loop back to 504, where additional advertising signalsmay be transmitted from the CMU 140 to the panels 161-166. Theadditional advertising signals may be transmitted simultaneously with orsubsequent to the first command signal being transmitted (as at 518).The additional advertising signals may inform the panels 161-166 thatthe device 151 is in the “off” state.

Then, at 506, additional status signals transmitted from the panels161-166 may inform the CMU 140 and/or the other panels 162-166 that thefirst panel 161 is aware of the updated states of the devices 151-153(e.g., including the updated state of the water system). Then, at 508,the metrics of the frequency ranges used by the panels 161-166 may bemeasured again simultaneously with or subsequent to the first commandsignal being transmitted, the additional advertising signals beingtransmitted, or both. This time, the metrics may differ from the earliermetrics at least partially due to new traffic such as the first commandsignals (e.g., to turn the water system off), the additional advertisingsignals, or both. Then, at 510, the updated metrics may be transmittedfrom the panels 161-166 to the CMU 140.

Then, at 512, the rankings of the frequency ranges may be updated (e.g.,re-ranked) based at least partially upon the metrics measuredsimultaneously with or subsequent to the first command signal beingtransmitted, the additional advertising signals being transmitted, orboth (i.e., the updated metrics). Another command (e.g., a secondcommand) may then be received from the user at one of the panels (e.g.,the first panel 161). The second command may be to actuate the wetsensor 151 back into the first state (e.g., “on”).

Another command signal (e.g., a third command signal) may then beassigned to one of the frequency ranges based at least partially uponthe re-ranking, the priority level of the third command signal, the sizeof the third command signal, or a combination thereof. In one example,the third command signal may be assigned to the same frequency range asthe first command signal. In another example, the third command signalmay be assigned to a different frequency range than the first commandsignals. The third command signal may then be transmitted to the CMU 140in the assigned frequency range.

Another command signal (e.g., a fourth command signal) may then betransmitted from the CMU 140 to the wet sensor 151. The fourth commandsignal may include the second command from the user. The wet sensor 151may actuate back into the first state (e.g., “on”) in response to thefourth command signal. The fourth command signal may be transmittedthrough the wire.

In this manner, a subsequent command from a user may result in asubsequent command signal being assigned to one of the frequency rangesbased upon the updated ranking. In the example above, the subsequentcommand may control the same device (e.g., water system); however, thecommand signals to carry out this subsequent command may be assigned toa different frequency range (e.g., than the command to turn the watersystem off) due to the updated ranking. Thus, as will be appreciated,the communication system 130 may continually update the rankings andassignments to route the command signals through the optimal route.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of another method 600 for communicatingwithin the vehicle 100, according to an embodiment. An illustrativeorder of the method 600 is described below; however, one or more stepsof the method 600 may occur in a different order or be omittedaltogether. One or more steps (e.g., 604-608, 612, and 616-632) of themethod 600 may be part of a quality-of-service (QOS) determination thatis performed by the CMU 140.

The method 600 may begin when the communication system 130 is turned on.The communication system 130 may be turned on automatically when thevehicle 100 is turned on, or the communication system 130 maysubsequently be turned on manually by a user. Once the communicationsystem 130 is turned on, the method 600 may include transmitting defaultstate signals from the CMU 140 to one or more of the devices 151-153, asat 602. The default state signals may be transmitted automatically(e.g., in response to the communication system 130 being turned on). Thedefault state signals may be transmitted through the (e.g., existing)wires to the devices 151-153. The default state signals may cause thedevices 151-153 to switch into their default states. This may also bereferred to as performing default state setup. The default state foreach device 151-153 may be pre-programmed into the CMU 140 by anauthorized user. In one example, the default state for the wet sensor151 may be off, the default state for the up-wash and down-wash light152 may be on, and the default state for the chiller 153 may be off.

The method 600 may also include transmitting advertising signals fromthe CMU 140 to one or more of the panels 161-166, as at 604. This mayrepresent the start of the QOS determination. The advertising signalsmay be transmitted automatically (e.g., in response to the communicationsystem 130 being turned on), or the advertising signals may betransmitted in response to the default state signals being transmitted.The advertising signals may be transmitted wirelessly to the panels161-166. The advertising signals may inform the panels 161-166 of thecurrent states of the devices 151-153 (e.g., the default states). Thismay also be referred to as advertising the state of the devices. Theadvertising signals may be transmitted before, simultaneously with, orafter the default state signals.

The method 600 may also include transmitting status signals from thepanels (e.g., panel 161) to the CMU 140 and/or the other panels (e.g.,panels 162-166), as at 606. This may be a continuation of the QOSdetermination. This step may be performed for each of the panels161-166. The status signals may be transmitted in response to the panels161-166 receiving the advertising signals. The status signals may betransmitted wirelessly to the CMU 140 and/or the other panels 162-166.The status signals may inform the CMU 140 and/or the other panels162-166 that the first panel 161 is online. The status signals may alsoor instead inform the CMU 140 and/or the other panels 162-166 that thefirst panel 161 is in communication with the CMU 140 and/or the otherpanels 162-166 (e.g., that the first panel 161 received the advertisingsignals). The status signals may also or instead inform the CMU 140and/or the other panels 162-166 that the first panel 161 is aware of thecurrent states of the devices 151-153. The status signals may betransmitted before, simultaneously with, or after the default statesignals. The status signals may be transmitted before, simultaneouslywith, or after the advertising signals.

The method 600 may also include determining that one of the panels(e.g., the panel 161) is malfunctioning, as at 608. This may be acontinuation of the QOS determination. This step may be performed foreach of the panels 161-166. In one embodiment, the determination thatthe panel 161 is malfunctioning may be made at/by the CMU 140 based atleast partially upon the data in the status signals from the panel 161.In another embodiment, the determination that the panel 161 ismalfunctioning may be made at/by the CMU 140 based at least partiallyupon a lack of status signals from the panel 161 (i.e., the panel 161 isnot transmitting status signals). In another embodiment, thedetermination that the panel 161 is malfunctioning may be made at/by thepanel 161 and/or the user. For example, the user may determine that thepanel 161 is not operating properly when the user inputs a command intothe panel 161, and the panel 161 does not respond in the normal manner.The malfunctioning may be or include a software failure or a hardwarefailure due to the end of the component's lifecycle determined by a meantime between failures (e.g., MTBF). The malfunctioning may also orinstead be due to an environmental condition such as an electrostaticdischarge (ESD).

The method 600 may also include physically removing the panel 161, as at610. For example, the user may physically disconnect the panel 161 fromthe vehicle 100 (e.g., from the communication system 130).

The method 600 may also include electronically removing the panel 161from a network of the communication system 130, as at 612. This may be acontinuation of the QOS determination. This may include receiving aremoval command from the user at another panel (e.g., not themalfunctioning/removed panel 161). For example, the removal command maybe received at the panel 162. More particularly, the user may navigateto a diagnostics graphical interface (GI) page of the panel 162. On thediagnostics GI page, the user may identify the malfunctioning/removedpanel 161 and input the removal command to electronically remove themalfunctioning/removed panel 161 from the communication system 130. Inresponse to the removal command, the panel 162 may transmit a removalcommand signal to the CMU 140 and/or the other panels 163-166 toelectronically remove the malfunctioning/removed panel 161 from thecommunication system 130. The removal command signal may be transmittedwirelessly.

The method 600 may also include physically adding a (e.g., new)replacement panel 169 (see FIG. 1) to replace the malfunctioning/removedpanel 161, as at 614. For example, the user may physically connect thereplacement panel 169 to the vehicle 100 (e.g., to the communicationsystem 130) in the same location from which the malfunctioning/removedpanel 161 was removed. The replacement panel 169 may be substantiallysimilar to the malfunctioning/removed panel 161. For example, thereplacement panel 169 may be identical to the malfunctioning/removedpanel 161 or an updated version/model of the malfunctioning/removedpanel 161.

The replacement panel 169 may be prohibited from communicating withinthe communication system 130 initially after being installed. Forexample, the replacement panel 169 may be prohibited from communicatingwithin the communication system 130 by the communication system'ssecurity protocol until the replacement panel 169 is recognized andapproved by the communication system 130 (e.g., by the CMU 140) by anauthorized sequence. However, once the replacement panel 169 isphysically added and turned on, the replacement panel 169 may transmitrequest signals that request the communication system 130 toelectronically add the replacement panel 169 to the communication system130. The request signals may be wireless. The request signals may bereceived by the CMU 140 and/or the other panels 163-166.

The method 600 may also include electronically adding the replacementpanel 169 to the network of the communication system 130, as at 616.This may be a continuation of the QOS determination. Electronicallyadding the replacement panel 169 to the communication system 130 mayinclude receiving an addition command from the user at another panel(e.g., not the replacement panel 169). For example, the addition commandmay be received at the panel 162. More particularly, the user maynavigate to the diagnostics GI page of the panel 162, which may displaya request from the replacement panel 169 to be added to thecommunication system 130 (e.g., in response to the request signals). Theuser may then input the addition command to accept the request and addthe replacement panel 169 to the communication system 130. In responseto the addition command, the panel 162 may transmit an addition commandsignal to the CMU 140 and/or the other panels 163-166 to electronicallyadd the replacement panel 169 to the communication system 130. Theaddition command signal may be transmitted wirelessly.

The method 600 may also include electronically configuring thereplacement panel 169 within the communication system 130, as at 618.This may be a continuation of the QOS determination. Electronicallyconfiguring the replacement panel 169 may include transmitting aconfiguration signal from the CMU 140 to the replacement panel 169. Inone embodiment, the configuration signal may be transmittedautomatically upon the replacement panel 169 being (e.g., physicallyand/or electronically) added. In another embodiment, the configurationsignal may be transmitted in response to user input (e.g., to thediagnostics GI page of the panel 162). The configuration signal mayinform the replacement panel 169 of its physical location on theaircraft (e.g., in the galley). The configuration signal may also orinstead inform the replacement panel 169 of the broadcast domain(s) towhich the replacement panel 169 belongs, the frequency ranges that thecommunication system 130 is using, the priority levels of the devices151-153, the current states of the devices 151-153, or a combinationthereof.

The method 600 may also include measuring one or more metrics of thefrequency ranges used by the panels 162-166, 169, as at 620. This may bea continuation of the QOS determination. This step may be performed foreach of the panels 162-166, 169. In an example, the metrics of thefrequency ranges used by the replacement panel 169 may include themetrics of the frequency ranges used to transmit signals from thereplacement panel 169 and/or the metrics of the frequency ranges thatare used to transmit signals to the replacement panel 169. The metricsof the frequency ranges used by a panel (e.g., the replacement panel169) may be measured in/by that particular panel. As used herein, themetrics may be or include signal strength (e.g., in dBm), bandwidth(e.g., in kb/s), error rate (e.g., measured as a percentage), or acombination thereof.

The frequency ranges may be different (e.g., not overlapping). In oneexample, a first frequency range may be from about 153 MHz to about 860MHz, a second frequency range may be from about 861 MHz to about 2411MHz, and a third frequency range may be from about 2412 MHz to about5019 MHz. In another example, the first frequency range may be fromabout 863 MHz to about 870 MHZ, the second frequency range may be fromabout 902 MHz to about 928 MHZ, and the third frequency range may befrom about 2412 MHz to about 2462 MHz, as shown in FIG. 4. As will beappreciated, the frequency may be directly proportional to bandwidth.Thus, higher frequencies have higher bandwidths, and lower frequencieshave lower bandwidths.

In one example, the metrics may include the signal strength of the firstfrequency range (e.g., 902 MHz-928 MHz) used by the replacement panel169. In another example, the metrics may include the signal strength andthe bandwidth in the first frequency range and the second frequencyrange (e.g., 2412 MHz-2462 MHz) used by the panel 162. In anotherexample, the metrics may include the signal strength, the bandwidth, andthe error rate in the first frequency range, the second frequency range,and the third frequency range used by each/all of the panels 162-166,169.

The method 600 may also include transmitting the metrics from the panels162-166, 169 to the CMU 140, as at 622. The metrics may thus be receivedby the CMU 140. This may be a continuation of the QOS determination.This step may be performed for each of the panels 162-166, 169. Themetrics may be transmitted wirelessly.

The method 600 may also include ranking the frequency ranges of thepanels 162-166, 169 based at least partially upon one or more of themetrics, as at 624. This may be a continuation of the QOS determination.The ranking may be performed by the CMU 140 for each of the panels162-166, 169. The ranking may be based at least partially upon one ormore of the metrics (e.g., the signal strength, the bandwidth, and/orthe error rate), as well as the available devices 151-153 or panels162-166, 169, the response time of/from the available devices 151-153 orpanels 162-166, 169, or a combination hereof.

Ranking the frequency ranges may include determining which of the threefrequency ranges is most reliable, which of the three frequency rangeshas intermediate reliability, and which of the three frequency ranges isthe least reliable. In an example, the replacement panel 169 may havethe first frequency range ranked as the most reliable, the secondfrequency range ranked as the least reliable, and the third frequencyrange ranked as having intermediate reliability.

Ranking the frequency ranges may also or instead include determiningwhich of the three frequency ranges has the greatest speed, which of thethree frequency ranges has intermediate speed, and which of the threefrequency ranges has the least speed. In an example, the first frequencyrange of the replacement panel 169 may have the least speed, the secondfrequency range of the replacement panel 169 may have intermediatespeed, and the third frequency range of the replacement panel 169 mayhave the greatest speed.

The method 600 may also include receiving a device command from theuser, as at 626. This may be a continuation of the QOS determination.The device command may be received at one of the panels 162-166, 169. Inan example, the first device (e.g., the wet sensor) 151 may transmit ameasurement (e.g., through existing wires) to the CMU 140 indicatingthat there is a problem with the water system. The user may then enterthe device command into the replacement panel 169 (e.g., to turn thewater system off). As described below, the device command may betransmitted from the replacement panel 169 as a first device commandsignal.

The method 600 may also include assigning the first device commandsignal to one of the frequency ranges, as at 628. This may be acontinuation of the QOS determination. As mentioned below, the firstdevice command signal may be transmitted from the replacement panel 169to the CMU 140 and/or the other panels 162-166. The assignment may bemade by the CMU 140 and stored in the CMU 140, the devices 151-153,and/or the panels 162-166, 169.

The assignment may provide the optimal route (e.g., broadcast domain171-173 and/or frequency range) for transmission of the first devicecommand signal. The first device command signal may be assigned based atleast partially upon the metrics and/or the ranking. More particularly,the first device command signal may be assigned based at least partiallyupon the rankings of the frequency ranges for the panels 162-166, 169 aswell as a priority of the first device command signal, a priority of thedevice that the first device command signal is controlling, and/or asize of the first device command signal. The priority of the firstdevice command signal and/or the device that the first command signal iscontrolling may be determined by an authorized user and stored in theCMU 140 and/or the panels 162-166, 169. In the example discussed above,signals that are related to or control high-priority devices such as thefirst device (e.g., the wet sensor) 151 may be classified as first(e.g., high) priority signals, signals that are related to or controlthe intermediate-priority devices such as the second device (e.g., theup-wash and down-wash light) 152 may be classified as second (e.g.,intermediate) priority signals, and signals that are related to orcontrol low-priority devices such as the third device (e.g., thechiller) 153 may be classified as third (e.g., low) priority signals.

In one embodiment, the high-priority signals may be assigned to thefrequency range with the highest reliability, the intermediate-prioritysignals may be assigned to the frequency range with the intermediatereliability, and the low-priority signals may be assigned to thefrequency range with the lowest reliability. In this particular example,where the first device command signal is related to or controls the wetsensor 151, which is a high-priority device, the first device commandsignal may be assigned to the frequency range with the highestreliability. However, as mentioned above, this assignment may also bebased at least partially upon the rankings and/or the size of the firstsize command signal, which may, in some embodiments, cause the firstdevice command signal to be assigned to a different frequency range.

Device command signals having a size that is greater than a first (e.g.,upper) size threshold (e.g., 10 MB) may be classified as large signals,device command signals having a size that is between than the first(e.g., upper) size threshold (e.g., 1 MB) and a second (e.g., lower)size threshold (e.g., 100 kB) may be classified as intermediate-sizedsignals, and device command signals having a size that is less than thesecond (e.g., lower) size threshold (e.g., 100 kB) may be classified assmall signals. In one embodiment, the large device command signals maybe assigned to the frequency range with the greatest speed, theintermediate-sized device command signals may be assigned to thefrequency range with the intermediate speed, and the small devicecommand signals may be assigned to the frequency range with the lowestspeed.

In at least one embodiment, ranking the frequency ranges by reliabilitymay be based at least partially upon the ranking of the frequency rangesby speed. More particularly, the frequency range with the greatest speedmay not be ranked as the most reliable frequency range. As a result, thehigh-priority command signals may not be assigned to (and thus may notbe transmitted in) the frequency range with the greatest speed. This isbecause the device command signals assigned to the frequency range withthe greatest speed (e.g., device command signals with large sizes orhigh-volume command signals) may saturate this frequency range, whichmay deteriorate the reliability of this frequency range.

The method 600 may also include transmitting the first device commandsignal to the CMU 140 (and/or the other panels 162-166), as at 630. Inan example, the first device command signal may transmitted from thereplacement panel 169 and received by the CMU 140 (and/or the otherpanels 162-166). This may be a continuation of the QOS determination.The first device command signal may include the device command from theuser. The first device command signal may be wireless. The first devicecommand signal may be transmitted from the replacement panel 169 in thefrequency range to which it was assigned (in step 628) based at leastpartially upon the priority of the first device command signal, thepriority of the device that the first device command signal controls,the size of the first device command signal, the reliability rankings ofthe frequency ranges, or a combination thereof.

The method 600 may also include transmitting a second device commandsignal from the CMU 140 to one or more of the devices 151-153, as at632. This may be a continuation of the QOS determination. The seconddevice command signal implement the device command from the user to turnthe water system “off”. In one embodiment, the second device commandsignal may be transmitted through the (e.g., existing) wires. In anotherembodiment, the second device command signal may be wireless and betransmitted in one of the frequency ranges based at least partially uponthe priority of the first and/or second device command signal, thepriority of the device that the first and/or second device commandsignal(s) control, the size of the first and/or second device commandsignal, the reliability rankings of the frequency ranges, or acombination thereof. For example, the second device command signal maybe transmitted in the same frequency range as the first device commandsignal.

One or more steps of the method 600 may be iterative. For example, themethod 600 may loop back to 604, where additional advertising signalsmay be transmitted from the CMU 140 to the panels 162-166, 169. Theadditional advertising signals may be transmitted simultaneously with orsubsequent to the first device command signal being transmitted/received(as at 630). The additional advertising signals may inform the panels162-166, 169 that the device 151 is now in the “off” state.

Then, at 606, additional status signals transmitted from the panels162-166, 169. For example, additional status signals may be transmittedfrom the replacement panel 169 to inform the CMU 140 and/or the otherpanels 162-166 that the replacement panel 169 is aware of the updatedstates of the devices 151-153 (e.g., including the updated state of thewater system). Then, at 620, the metrics of the frequency ranges used bythe panels 162-166, 169 may be measured again simultaneously with orsubsequent to the first device command signal beingtransmitted/received, the additional advertising signals beingtransmitted, or both. This time, the metrics may differ from the earliermetrics at least partially due to new traffic such as the first devicecommand signals, the additional advertising signals, or both. Then, at622, the updated metrics may be transmitted from the panels 162-166, 169and received by the CMU 140.

Then, at 624, the rankings of the frequency ranges may be updated (e.g.,the frequency ranges may be re-ranked) based at least partially upon theupdated metrics. Then, at 626, another device command (e.g., a seconddevice command) may then be received from the user at one of the panels(e.g., the replacement panel 169). In an example, the second devicecommand may be to actuate the wet sensor 151 back into the first state(e.g., “on”).

Another device command signal (e.g., a third device command signal) maythen be assigned to one of the frequency ranges based at least partiallyupon the re-ranking of the frequency ranges, the priority level of thethird device command signal, the priority of the device that the thirddevice signal controls, the size of the third device command signal, ora combination thereof. In one example, the third device command signalmay be assigned to the same frequency range as the first device commandsignal. In another example, the third device command signal may beassigned to a different frequency range than the first device commandsignal.

Then, at 628, the third device command signal may be transmitted fromthe replacement panel 169 to the CMU 140 in the assigned frequencyrange. Then, at 632, another device command signal (e.g., a fourthdevice command signal) may be transmitted from the CMU 140 to the wetsensor 151 to implement the second device command from the user. The wetsensor 151 may actuate back into the first state (e.g., “on”) inresponse to the fourth device command signal. The fourth device commandsignal may be transmitted through the wire.

In this manner, a subsequent device command from a user may result in asubsequent device command signal being assigned to one of the frequencyranges based upon the updated metrics and/or the updated rankings. Inthe example above, the subsequent device command may control the samedevice (e.g., water system); however, the device command signals tocarry out this subsequent device command may be assigned to a differentfrequency range (e.g., than the command to turn the water system off)due to the updated rankings. Thus, as will be appreciated, thecommunication system 130 may continually update the rankings andassignments to route the device command signals through the optimalroute.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments. However, theillustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive orlimiting to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications andvariations are possible in view of the above teachings. Moreover, theorder in which the elements of the methods described herein areillustrate and described may be re-arranged, and/or two or more elementsmay occur simultaneously. The embodiments were chosen and described inorder to best explain the principles of the disclosure and its practicalapplications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to bestutilize the disclosed embodiments and various embodiments with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for communicating within a vehicle, comprising: a cabin manager unit (CMU) configured to perform operations, the operations comprising: electronically removing a first panel from a network; receiving an addition command signal to electronically add a second panel to the network to replace the first panel, wherein the addition command signal is transmitted by a third panel in the vehicle, and wherein the addition command signal is wireless; and ranking a plurality of frequency ranges used by the second panel based at least partially upon one or more metrics of the frequency ranges.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise: receiving a status signal from the first panel; and determining that the first panel is malfunctioning based at least partially upon the status signal, wherein the first panel is electronically removed in response to the first panel malfunctioning.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise determining that the first panel is malfunctioning based at least partially upon a lack of a status signal or no status signal received from the first panel, and wherein the first panel is electronically removed in response to the first panel malfunctioning.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the frequency ranges are ranked by reliability, speed, or a combination thereof, and wherein the one or more metrics comprise signal strength, bandwidth, error rate, or a combination thereof.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise: transmitting a default state signal to a device in the vehicle, wherein the default state signal causes the device to switch into a default state; and transmitting an advertising signal to the second panel, wherein the advertising signal informs the second panel that the device is in the default state.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise electronically configuring the second panel by transmitting a configuration signal to the second panel, wherein the configuration signal informs the second panel of the plurality of frequency ranges, a priority level of a device in the vehicle, a state of the device, or a combination thereof.
 7. A system for communicating within a vehicle, comprising: a cabin manager unit (CMU) configured to perform operations, the operations comprising: electronically removing a first panel from a network; receiving an addition command signal to electronically add a second panel to the network to replace the first panel, wherein the addition command signal is wireless; ranking a plurality of frequency ranges used by the second panel based at least partially upon one or more metrics of the frequency ranges; and receiving a first command signal from the second panel in a first of the frequency ranges, wherein the first frequency range is selected based at least partially upon the ranking, and wherein the first command signal comprises a command from a user that is received at the second panel.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the addition command signal is transmitted by a third panel in the vehicle.
 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the first command signal is assigned to the first frequency range based at least partially upon a priority level of a device in the vehicle, a size of the first command signal, or both.
 10. The system of claim 7, wherein the operations further comprise transmitting a second command signal to a device in the vehicle in response to receiving the first command signal, and wherein the device actuates from a first state to a second state in response to the second command signal.
 11. A system for communicating within a vehicle, comprising: a cabin manager unit (CMU) configured to perform operations, the operations comprising: electronically removing a first panel from a network; electronically adding a second panel to the network to replace the first panel; and electronically configuring the second panel by transmitting a configuration signal to the second panel, wherein the configuration signal informs the second panel of a plurality of frequency ranges used by the CMU, and wherein the configuration signal is wireless.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the configuration signal informs the second panel of its physical location in the vehicle.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise ranking a plurality of frequency ranges used by the CMU based at least partially upon one or more metrics of the frequency ranges.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the operations further comprise receiving a first command signal from the second panel in a first of the frequency ranges, wherein the first frequency range is selected based at least partially upon the ranking, and wherein the first command signal comprises a command from a user that is received at the second panel.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the operations further comprise transmitting a second command signal to a device in the vehicle in response to receiving the first command signal, and wherein the device actuates from a first state to a second state in response to the second command signal.
 16. A system for communicating within a vehicle, comprising: a cabin manager unit (CMU) configured to perform operations, the operations comprising: electronically removing a first panel from a network; electronically adding a second panel to the network to replace the first panel; electronically configuring the second panel by transmitting a configuration signal to the second panel, wherein the configuration signal informs the second panel of a device in the vehicle that the CMU, the second panel, or both are configured to control, and wherein the configuration signal is wireless.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the configuration signal informs the second panel of a plurality of frequency ranges used by the CMU.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the configuration signal informs the second panel of a priority level of the device.
 19. The system of claim 16, wherein the configuration signal informs the second panel of a state of the device.
 20. A system for communicating within a vehicle, comprising: a cabin manager unit (CMU) configured to perform operations, the operations comprising: electronically removing a first panel from a network; electronically adding a second panel to the network to replace the first panel; and electronically configuring the second panel by transmitting a configuration signal to the second panel, wherein the configuration signal is transmitted by a third panel in the vehicle, and wherein the configuration signal is wireless.
 21. A system for communicating within a vehicle, comprising: a cabin manager unit (CMU) configured to perform operations, the operations comprising: electronically removing a first panel from a network; electronically adding a second panel to the network to replace the first panel; transmitting a default state signal to a device in the vehicle, wherein the default state signal causes the device to switch into a first state, and wherein the default state signal is transmitted through a wire; and transmitting an advertising signal to the second panel that informs the second panel that the device is in the first state, wherein the advertising signal is wireless.
 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the operations further comprise ranking a plurality of frequency ranges used by the CMU based at least partially upon one or more metrics of the frequency ranges.
 23. The system of claim 22, wherein the operations further comprise receiving a first command signal from the second panel in a first of the frequency ranges, wherein the first frequency range is selected based at least partially upon the ranking, and wherein the first command signal comprises a command from a user that is received at the second panel.
 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the operations further comprise transmitting a second command signal to the device in response to receiving the first command signal, and wherein the device actuates from the first state to a second state in response to the second command signal.
 25. The system of claim 24, wherein the first command signal is wireless, and wherein the second command signal is transmitted through a wire.
 26. The system of claim 24, wherein the operations further comprise transmitting an additional advertising signal to the second panel, and wherein the additional advertising signal informs the second panel that the device is in the second state.
 27. The system of claim 22, wherein the one or more metrics are measured when the device is in the first state, and wherein the one or more metrics are measured again when the device is in a second state.
 28. The system of claim 27, wherein the one or more metrics that are measured when the device is in the first state differ from the one or more metrics that are measured when the device is in the second state.
 29. The system of claim 27, wherein the operations further comprise: ranking a plurality of frequency ranges used by the CMU based at least partially upon the one or more metrics that are measured when the device is in the first state; and re-ranking the frequency ranges used by the second panel based at least partially upon the one or more metrics that are measured when the device is in the second state. 